Becahi Tackles Berwick

It was inevitable that Berwick and Bethlehem Catholic would meet again and maybe surprising that the two power-packed Class 3A programs have jousted just once.

The two year-in and year-out standouts, which have been ranked nationally at one time or another, are two of the three best Class 3A clubs in Eastern Pennsylvania and as such their paths had to meet.

Becahi, 21-7 losers to Central Catholic in the East Penn Conference title game, all along had its eye on nationally-ranked Berwick (No. 11 in USA Today). With a game open on future schedules, the Bethlehem team had courted the Bulldogs as a yearly opponent. Berwick instead signed to play Lehighton.

The 9-2 Golden Hawks, two-time PIAA titlist ('88, '90), wanted a crack at the undefeated (11-0) defending state champs and get their wish at noon tomorrow in Berwick by opting out of District 11 and into the Eastern Football Conference playoffs.

"It's a great atmosphere to go play in and a different challenge. The kids wanted it and we wanted it," Becahi head coach Bob Stem said of the anticipated clash in front of 8,000 at Berwick. Becahi last meet the Bulldogs in 1990, winning the PIAA Eastern title with 75 seconds to play.

"It's always good to see what you can do against a team that's always ranked nationally. It's nice to have that challenge," Stem said. "This is what it's all about ... just like the Phillipsburg-Easton meeting of the 1950s. It's great experience for the kids."

Both teams take youthful units -- notably skill people -- into tomorrow's meeting.

Junior Dante Pecorelli was Berwick's starting quarterback -- throwing for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushing for 10 scores, before being sidelined with a broken collarbone.

Sophomore Dave Robbins has come on to pile up 429 yards and five TDs (plus one rushing). Mike Bennett is the favorite target with 35 catches for 424 yards and five TDs. Greg Michael is 16 for 197 yards and three scores.

Berwick's running game is paced by Ross Stoico who has 122 carries for 646 yards and a dozen touchdowns.

The most points allowed by the Bulldogs are 13 to Wyoming Valley West in midseason and 12 on three other occasions. They have three shutouts. Berwick has never lost an EFC game and Coach George Curry is 178-42-4 with the 'Dawgs.

Becahi will counter with sprinter Lee Brannon, a sophomore has rushed 151 times for 958 yards (a 6.3 average) and scored seven TDs. Quarterback Danny Kendra is the second-leader rusher (114, 627) with 5.5 yards a carry average and 10 scores.